Chapter 12
The Enemy's Trap
Nora~
Killian's voice echoed in my head, followed closely by Keal's. It had been this way ever since I left the Bloodfang pack. I had forgotten about the mind-link, hadn't even realized it came with the bond we shared.
Their voices were faint but insistent, laced with worry and anger. It was like they were right beside me, trying to pull me back.
I stood in front of the gates to the Silverclaw pack, my breath catching as I took in the sheer size of it. It was massive, far larger than Bloodfang's territory. The structures stretched high into the sky, and the bustling movement of its members gave it a strange vibrancy.
Why are Killian and Keal enemies with Dorian? I wondered for the hundredth time. From what I could see, everything here seemed… normal. Almost friendly.
I walked cautiously through the gates, my steps hesitant. If Dorian could truly break the bond, maybe I could finally escape Killian and Keal's suffocating presence. Maybe I could finally have peace—no more voices in my head, no more feelings that weren't my own.
But as I moved deeper into the territory, I couldn't shake the growing unease in my chest.
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When I reached the castle, I hesitated at the entrance. It was even grander than I had imagined, its dark stone walls looming above me. Two guards stood at the door, their gazes sharp as they watched me approach.
"State your purpose," one of them demanded, his voice clipped.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"Tell them you're here to see Alpha Dorian, fool," Lara growled impatiently in my mind.
Suppressing a sigh, I squared my shoulders and replied, "I'm here to see Alpha Dorian. I'm the Luna of the Bloodfang pack, and he invited me."
The guards exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
"Luna?" one of them sneered. "You're an omega. We can smell it from here. I'll ask you again—state your real purpose."
Their laughter sent a spark of anger through me. "Why don't you call your Alpha and let him decide?" I said coldly.
One of the guards stepped closer, grabbing my arm roughly and shoving me to the ground.
"It's best you leave now, unless you'd like to find yourself in the dungeon," he snarled.
Lara's growl reverberated through my chest, and I felt my anger rise. My vision blurred slightly as my eyes shifted to their glowing blue.
"Is this how you treat people? How rude," I snapped, glaring up at him.
Just as the guards began to drag me away, a cold voice cut through the air.
"And what's going on here?"
I turned to see Dorian approaching, his expression calm but his eyes hard. The moment he saw me, his face softened into a smile, and he strode toward the guards.
Before I knew it, he slapped the one holding me across the face.
"How dare you touch a Luna this way?" Dorian demanded. "Have you no respect?"
The guards stammered apologies, clearly caught off guard.
I smirked, brushing myself off as I stood. "Now you're quiet. I think I like you better that way," I muttered under my breath.
Dorian turned to me, his smile warm and welcoming. "Luna Nora, it's an honor to have you here. But I must ask—did your mates allow this visit?"
The mention of Killian and Keal sent a wave of mixed emotions through me. Worry, anger, defiance—they all swirled in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me.
"Oh no," I said quickly. "They have no idea I'm here. I… kind of ran away."
His smile widened, and for a second, it sent a chill down my spine.
"Well, I'm glad you made it," he said smoothly. "Come inside. We can talk."
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Dorian led me into the castle, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. The interior was as grand as the outside, with high ceilings and intricate stonework.
As we walked, I noticed a man following us from a distance. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his sharp eyes scanning the area constantly.
"Who's that?" I asked, nodding toward him.
Dorian glanced back and smiled. "That's my Beta, Drake. He's never far from my side."
I nodded, though something about Drake's presence felt unsettling. "I didn't see him when you came to Bloodfang," I said cautiously.
Dorian's smile grew. "He was handling other matters at the time," he replied easily. "But don't worry. You're in good hands here."
He gestured for me to sit on a plush couch, and I sank into it, feeling a flicker of doubt. Something about this felt… off.
Drake left the room, returning moments later with a glass of juice, which he handed to me with a polite nod. I took it hesitantly, thanking him quietly.
Dorian sat across from me, his piercing gaze never leaving mine. "I assume you came because of the bond?" he asked after a moment.
I nodded, setting the glass down on the table. "I don't want to be tied to them anymore. Every time they're near, the bond makes me feel things—things I don't want to feel. It makes me do stupid things. Can you help me break it?"
Dorian leaned back, his smile never wavering. "Of course. Like I promised, you don't need to worry. But first, why don't you finish your drink? There's something I'd like to show you."
I hesitated, the unease in my chest growing stronger. But I took a sip of the juice anyway, trying to push the feeling aside.
Dorian stood and gestured for me to follow him. "This way," he said.
I got to my feet, but as I took a step forward, dizziness washed over me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled, barely managing to stay upright.
"You okay?" Dorian asked, his voice calm but distant.
"I… I don't know," I whispered, clutching my head. The dizziness grew worse, and my legs gave out beneath me.
As I hit the ground, I looked up to see Dorian standing over me, his smile now cold and cruel.
"What… what's happening?" I managed to choke out.
"You're such a fool," he said softly, his voice dripping with mockery.
The last thing I saw was his smirk before everything went black.
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